CE 07 - Structural Theory
Virtual Work Applied to Beams
Engr. Saque J. Amilbahar
Instructor
All images are CTTO.
This material is a compilation.
For educational purposes only. 1
Flow of Topics
1. What is virtual work method?
2. Virtual work principles for Beam.
3. Procedure for Analysis
4. Examples
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What is Virtual Work Method
• Developed by John Bernoulli in 1717.
• Referred to as the unit-load method.
• Can determine displacement and slope at a specific point on a
beam, frame, or a truss.
• Uses principles of work and energy.
• Work-energy methods are more general than geometric
methods.
work-energy method geometric methods
virtual work double integration
moment-area
conjugate-beam
3
What is Virtual Work Method
Virtual System
Real System
Wve = Wvi
virtual external work = virtual internal work
4
Virtual Work Method for Beams
Let us consider a beam on the right figure.
Assume that the vertical deflection (∆) at point
B of the beam is to be determined.
To determine the deflection (∆), we select a Real system
virtual system, with unit load acting at B
downwards.
Then the total virtual work done by the unit
load through the real deflection ∆ is given by:
Virtual system for determining ∆
Wve = 1(∆)
recall force x distance 5
Virtual Work Principles for Beams
Virtual system for determining θ
The virtual internal work done on the element dx.
Recall the change in slope dθ
over the differential element dx.
Substitute then integrate
(to get the whole virtual internal work).
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Virtual Work Principles for Beams
Recall from previous slide:
Wve = Wvi
virtual external work = virtual internal work
Mv is due to virtual unit load.
Mv is due to virtual unit couple.
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Important Notes VW of Shear
We noticed from the previous slides in the derivation of formulas that
internal work performed by virtual shear forces acting through the
real deformations are neglected..
Why is it?
This is due to the fact that only deep beams manifest large shear
deformations. Common beams (standard beams) have a very small
shear deformation thus become negligible.
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Procedure for Analysis of VWM - Beams
1. Real System. Draw a diagram of the beam showing all the
real loads acting on it.
2. Virtual System. Draw a diagram of the beam without the
real loads. Apply unit load in the point and direction of the
desired deflection. If the slope is desired, then apply unit
couple at the point where the slope is located.
3. Analyze the variation of flexural regidity (EI) on the length of
the beam. Divide the beam into segments so that the real and
virtual loadings as well as EI are continuous in each segment.
4. For each segment of the beam, determine the equation
expressing the variation of the bending moment due to real
loading (M) along the length of the segment with respect to the
position of x. Follow beam sign convention for bending moments.
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Procedure for Analysis of VWM - Beams
Recall
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Procedure for Analysis of VWM - Beams
5. For each segment of the beam, determine the equation for the
bending moment due to virtual load of the couple (Mv) using the
same x coordinate that was used for this segment in step 4 to
establish the expression for the real bending moment, M. Follow
beam sign convention for the sign of Mv.
6. Determine the desired deflection or slope of the beam by applying
the appropriate virtual work expression reflected below. If the
beam has been divided into segments, then the integral on the
right-hand side of equations can be evaluated by algebraically
adding the integrals for all the segments of the beam.
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Example 1.
Determine the slope and deflection at point A of the beam below:
Solution:
Diagram first the real systems
Real System - for determining M
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Example 1. (continuation)
Then diagram the appropriate virtual systems:
Virtual System for determining θA we need Mv1 Virtual System for determining ∆A we need Mv2
Slope at A is in question, we denote that with θA.
We apply a positive (assumption) unit couple at point A.
Note there are no discontinuities of the real,and virtual loadings or of EI
along the length of the beam.
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Example 1. (continuation)
y
Let us cut section on the real system:
Consider left of the cut (green line).
By ratio and proportion: Real System - M
y/x = w/L
y = (wx)/L
Set interval: 0 < x < L External forces causing
Use the cut sign convention: positive bending moment
We determine the equation of M as
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Example 1. (continuation)
Let us consider virtual system diagram
on the right:
Virtual System - for determining θA - Mv1
Set interval: 0 < x < L
Use the cut sign convention:
We determine the equation of Mv as
Mv = 1 External forces causing
positive bending moment
To determine the desired slope θA we apply
the virtual work expression:
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Example 1. (continuation)
Using : We get:
Why counterclockwise?
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Example 1. (continuation)
Let us consider virtual system on the right
diagram:
Take the left side of the green line.
Virtual System - for determining ∆A - Mv2
Set interval: 0 < x < L
Use the cut sign convention:
We determine the equation of Mv2 as
External forces causing
Mv2 = -1 (x) = - x positive bending moment
To determine the desired slope ∆ we apply
the virtual work expression:
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Example 1. (continuation)
Using : We get:
Why downward?
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Example 2.
Determine the displacement of point B of the steel beam below:
E = 200 GPa, I = 500(106)mm4.
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Example 2. (continuation)
Solution:
Diagram first the real systems
Let us cut section on the real system: Real System - M
Consider right of the cut section.
Why Right?
Set interval: 0 < x < 10 m
Use the cut sign convention (right side):
We determine the equation of M as External forces causing
positive bending moment
M = - 6x2
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Example 2. (continuation)
Let us consider virtual system diagram
on the right:
Set interval: 0 < x < 10 m Virtual System - for determining ∆ - m
Use the cut sign convention for right side:
We determine the equation of Mv as
Mv = m = - 1x
External forces causing
positive bending moment
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Example 2. (continuation)
To determine the desired slope ∆ We get:
we apply the virtual work expression:
x = 10 (position of point B)
or
Substituting values of E and I:
Using :
M = - 6x2
Mv = m = - 1x
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THANK YOU
All images are CTTO.
This material is a compilation.
For educational purposes only. 23